Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-02-12

The veto OF the dependent pension bill viii be
regarded as one OF President Clevelands best state
papers The comments it has evoked from all
parts OF the country indicate that, however much
the partisan leaders may try TO distort its motive
for political effect, the people generally approve
the message. Members OF Congress who voted for
the bill under pressure OF the claim agents against
their own better judgment, viii henceforward
have good excuse for declining TO support such
measure. The President must not expect TO escape
criticism, however, OF the most violent sort. 1t
will come even from members OF his own party
who have been waiting for Just such a chance TO
make him appear unpopular, and 10 urge his
ineigibi1ty Candidate for reelection. But
this treatment he long ago learned TO expect as
reward OF every act which required more than
common courage. Thus far IL has hurt him so
little that large part OF his support comes from
patriots who "love him for the enemies he has
made 1t is Likely TO hurt him still less as time
goes on and his countrymen learn that his courage
Is OF the SpaSnodic sort, but is chronic trait,
and equal TO any strain. They admire man with
good staying qualities, AMI who. though he may
differ with them in judgment now and then. can
always be trusted 10 take that course which his
hard sense cOmmends. The effect OF any vicious
attacks made upon him by the claim agents and
their following in revenge for his veto OF the
dependent pension bill will be TO SoIidfy public
sentiment generally, and 10 put TO the SevereSt
test the relative strength OF the party wre-pulIers
and the citizens who mix conscience with their
politics.
Observation shows that Washington is quiet
peaceable and orderly city. and in comparison
with other large American cities is remarkable in
these respects. Those who have visited the differ
emit cities do not need statistics convince them
Of this fact. But it has been thought necessary
by some Jealous individuals in supposed further
aucp we'll rpfOrm1rOry efforts in The Dis
trct, to parade figures which seem TO make con-
trary showing, and 10 expose Washington TO un-
favorable comparison In point OF general depravity
with Sodom and Gomorrah. The revised edition OF
proverbs states that figures lie, and the statistics
referred to seem to furnish an apt commentary
upon the new proverb. \ comparison OF arrests
IN New York and Washington was relied upon as
establishing the abandoned vieousness of The
District. But Washington, having truth on its
side, can fight fire with fire, figures with figures
statistics with statistics. In another column aD-
pears comparison between the police records of
Washington and New York for the year 1886 Dis
missed cases show nothing. unless it be excessive
vigilance or oCiOusness on the part OF the police
men, comparison of arrested persons who are
held makes the only satisfactory showing and
then only when the different kinds of offences are
separated. In every class OF crime compared of
every degree OF enormity. New York far exceeds
Washington, after full allowance is made for the
larger population OF tine former city, These
figures teach nothing new. No one who has lived
in the two cities requires enlightenment on the
subject But the slanderers OF Washington seem
TO have tumbled into the statistics pit which they
had themselves prepared.
The collapse OF the great strike in New York city
Is absolute and final. It might have held out
longer and cost more TO both employers and en-
poyes II the brewers men and the engineers who
nrr1av rN=-.
consented to go; but the former were unwilling to
break their pledges and the latter were conrented
with their work and wages and saw no reason
why they should let their families freeze or starye
70 avenge the doubtful grievances OF some other
men with whom ordinarily they had no relations
whatever. This is an ominOuS beginning for the
season OF general labor agitation. The strike
failed because 1t had not a sufficient basis of
reason There were too many UNEMPLOYED men
anxious TO work for the wages which the strikers
had revolted against. An hours honest survey OF
the Held would have shown the leaders OF the
movement that this was so. Perhaps they did
discover 1t, but trusted TO combination OF lucky
accidents and to their power to tncommode the
community by Withdrawing thousands of workers
from other fields OF activity to enforce success
which would not come by merit alone The effect
OF the collapse OF 50 vast scheme will be to cause
more careful scrutiny OF any that follow it this
spring; and the wOrkingmen OF the country at
large may have reason to thank the failure OF
their fellows In New York for saving them from
large losses In wages good feeling and seIrespect
which They might otherwise have suffered.
On the principle that an article is worth what f.
viii bring, it may be said that the purchaser OF
Munkacsys painting OF Christ before Plate gave
only a proper price for It, whether the sum paid
was 100000 or $4,000; and it is even possible
that as a means OF advertising his business estab